# US 12,645,181 B2 · Cartridge with a gripping portion

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- Number: US 12,645,181 B2
- Document ID: US12645181B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 19/039,281
- Filed: 2025-01-28
- Published: 2025-07-31
- Granted: 2026-06-02
- Earliest claimed: 2024-01-31
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Yuko Harada; Shigemi Kamoshida
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12645181B2

## CPC

- G03G 21/1846: {using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine, legs of casings}
- G03G 15/0105: {Details of unit}
- G03G 15/0889: {for agitation or stirring}
- G03G 15/0896: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894}
- G03G 21/1647: {Mechanical connection means}
- G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit}
- G03G 21/1803: {Arrangements or disposition of the complete process cartridge or parts thereof}
- G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)}
- G03G 21/1839: {Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body}
- G03G 21/1842: {for guiding and mounting the process cartridge, positioning, alignment, locks (G03G21/1864 and G03G21/1871 take precedence)}
- G03G 21/1853: {the process cartridge being mounted perpendicular to the axis of the photosensitive member}
- G03G 2221/163: for the developer unit
- G03G 2221/1846: using a handle for carrying or pulling out of the main machine
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

A cartridge attachable to/detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus in a mounting direction, includes a storage portion storing toner, a stirring member rotating around a rotation axis and stirring the toner in the storage portion, and a gripping portion provided upstream of the storage portion in the mounting direction, wherein the gripping portion includes, when the cartridge is in a mounted orientation of being mounted in the apparatus main body, a concave portion whose an upper part is opened, the concave portion including a bottom surface and first and second walls extending upward from an upstream and a downstream of the bottom surface in the mounting direction, the concave part including an opening extended from the bottom surface to the first wall at a center in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the gripping portion includes a third wall facing the second wall through the opening.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cartridge attachable to/detachable from an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus in a mounting direction, the cartridge comprising:
a storage portion configured to store toner;
a stirring member configured to be rotated around a rotation axis and to stir the toner in the storage portion, the rotation axis extending in a direction intersecting the mounting direction; and
a gripping portion provided upstream of the storage portion in the mounting direction,
wherein the gripping portion includes, when the cartridge is in a mounted orientation of being mounted in the apparatus main body, a concave portion whose longitudinal direction is a direction of the rotation axis, an upper part of the concave portion being opened, the concave portion including a bottom surface, and a first wall, and a second wall extending upward from an upstream and a downstream of the bottom surface, respectively, in the mounting direction, the concave portion including an opening extended from the bottom surface to the first wall at a center portion in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein the gripping portion includes a third wall which faces the second wall through the opening and which is provided at a position above the bottom surface and farther from the storage portion than the first wall in a horizontal direction when the cartridge is in the mounted orientation.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the third wall includes an inclined surface inclined to be directed upward as approaching the storage portion in the horizontal direction when the cartridge is in the mounted orientation.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first wall is inclined to be directed downward as approaching the storage portion in the horizontal direction when the cartridge is in the mounted orientation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the third wall includes a protruding rib above a lowest point of the third wall as viewed in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, a virtual line passing an end of the rib and the lowest point of the third wall is inclined to be directed upward as approaching the storage portion in the horizontal direction.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the first wall is inclined to be directed downward as approaching the storage portion in the horizontal direction when the cartridge is in the mounted orientation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second wall is a wall constituting the storage portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rotation axis and the third wall overlap with each other as viewed in the horizontal direction when the cartridge is in the mounted orientation.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The cartridge according to claim 1,
wherein the third wall includes a first rib and a second rib both protruding as viewed in the longitudinal direction, and
wherein, as viewed in the longitudinal direction, a virtual line passing an end of the first rib and an end of the second rib is inclined to be directed upward as approaching the storage portion in the horizontal direction.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the first wall is inclined to be directed downward as approaching the storage portion in the horizontal direction when the cartridge is in the mounted orientation.